Kirsty Lang

Kirsty Lang brings 19 years' experience presenting BBC Radio 4's Front Row, alongside a distinguished career as a foreign correspondent covering pivotal moments from the fall of the Berlin Wall to the Balkans conflict. Now chair of Global Witness and a regular contributor to the Sunday Times and Financial Times, she combines deep editorial insight with teaching experience from Columbia University and UCL. Her sessions deliver polished facilitation that connects diverse audiences, drawing on global contacts and cross-sector expertise to create engaging, professionally managed events.

Organisations seeking to navigate the intersection of culture, international relations, and contemporary social issues need voices that can bridge complex global conversations with clarity and insight. Kirsty Lang is a journalist and broadcaster whose 19-year tenure presenting BBC Radio 4's flagship arts programme Front Row, combined with her extensive experience as a foreign correspondent and news anchor, positions her as a uniquely credible guide through the cultural and political forces shaping our world. Her ability to connect the arts with broader societal challenges makes her an invaluable presence at events exploring creativity, diplomacy, and global understanding.

Kirsty's career spans multiple platforms and continents, beginning as a BBC graduate trainee in 1986 and progressing through roles that took her to the heart of historic moments. As a Central European correspondent based in Budapest, she covered the fall of the Berlin Wall and the Balkans conflict, later becoming a reporter for Newsnight and a studio presenter for Channel 4 News. Her return to the BBC saw her present World News Today and then Front Row, where she spent nearly two decades exploring arts, literature, film, and music with depth and accessibility. Beyond broadcasting, Kirsty contributes regularly to the Sunday Times and Financial Times on subjects ranging from culture to housing and health. She has served as a visiting professor at Columbia University and UCL, teaching communications and public diplomacy, and her governance work includes chairing Global Witness, an award-winning environmental NGO, alongside previous board membership at the British Council. Her leadership as former Chair of the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art and as chair of the Orange Prize for Women's Literature in 2008 and the Bruntwood Prize for Playwriting in 2017 further demonstrates her commitment to fostering creative excellence and international cultural exchange.

As a conference chair and facilitator, Kirsty brings intellectual rigour, warmth, and an instinct for drawing out meaningful dialogue from diverse panels and audiences. Her work with organisations including the Qatar Foundation, IBM, and the British Medical Association reflects her versatility across sectors, whilst her deep understanding of global affairs and the arts allows her to frame conversations that resonate beyond the event itself. Audiences benefit from her ability to make complex ideas accessible, her skill in managing challenging discussions with grace, and her genuine passion for connecting people through shared cultural and intellectual curiosity. Whether chairing debates on international policy, moderating discussions on creativity and innovation, or facilitating conferences exploring the future of public institutions, Kirsty creates spaces where insight meets impact.